Sector Seven Contemporary Art Gallery (S7CAG) is pleased to present an interview with art collector Neil Kluft—the first presentation of a conversation of its kind for S7CAG. This collector conversation is part of S7CAG’s ongoing effort to document the experiences and perspectives of individuals actively engaged in building meaningful art collections.
Mr. Kluft has been a strong supporter of the arts for many years and has also acquired a variety of artworks through S7CAG. His collection is displayed throughout his private residences in both Texas and California and includes works by local, national, and international artists acquired during his travels around the world, including Central America, Scandinavia, and Europe, among others.
In this conversation, we inquire about Mr. Kluft’s most recent acquisition: Enlightenment, a painting by Michael Dergar.
For archival purposes, please note that the conversation below was developed through an interview conducted via text message on February 16, 2026. Esteban Lopez was in Tokyo, Japan while Mr. Neil Kluft was at his private residence in Pasadena, California, USA.
The Moment of Connection: Living with Enlightenment
In a recent conversation with California native and art collector Neil Kluft, he reflected on the experience of acquiring Enlightenment, a painting by Pasadena-based artist Michael Dergar that now holds a meaningful presence within his home. For the now-Pasadena resident, the artwork represents more than a new addition to his collection—it has become a daily point of reflection, warmth, and spiritual resonance.
Mr. Kluft recalls that his connection to the painting was immediate. “I was drawn into this artwork because of the beauty of its spiritually inspiring, uplifting, and powerful expansive energy that it communicates,” he explained. Seeing the work in person proved to be a decisive moment. “Upon seeing this particular artwork in person, it was so beautiful that the thought of possibly having it was very exciting.”
That moment of recognition—when admiration shifts into the desire to live with a work—marks a familiar experience for many collectors. For Mr. Kluft, the decision felt both emotional and intuitive, guided less by analysis and more by resonance.
Living with the Artwork: Presence, Light, and Personal Connection
Today, Enlightenment, created with acrylic on canvas, occupies a prominent place in his home. The painting hangs directly across from his reading chair, intentionally positioned where he spends much of his time. “I placed the piece directly across from where I spend the most time when I am at home so I can constantly bask in the warmth of its wonderful energy,” he shared. Throughout the day, changing natural light interacts with the surface of the painting, allowing its colors and textures to shift subtly, reinforcing its presence within the room’s atmosphere.
Living with the artwork has deepened its significance. “I feel so many things,” Mr. Kluft said. “Although technically it is an inanimate object, it reflects friendliness, spiritual hope, and connectedness.” Over time, the piece has come to mirror aspects of his own inner life. “It reflects things that are very personal and sacred to my spiritual longings.”
This evolving relationship between collector and artwork is something he values deeply. “It is really a wonderful artwork, and I feel grateful to have it in my life,” he added.
A Collection in Conversation
The painting also integrates naturally within his broader collection, which spans multiple mediums and subjects. “My personal collection is somewhat varied, but I mostly like plein air, street building scenes, and works involving the ocean,” he explained. Throughout his home, ceramics, textiles, photography, prints, and mixed media works coexist in thoughtfully arranged groupings, curated by room and complemented by both furniture and lighting. Within this environment, Enlightenment has taken on a unifying role. “It fits wonderfully in my space. It is beautiful. I even feel like my other artworks are happy and inspired to be together with it.”
Visitors have responded strongly as well. “Most people who have seen it before and after I acquired it are inspired by it,” he noted, highlighting the social dimension of art ownership—the way a single work can influence the emotional tone of a space and the experiences shared within it.
For Mr. Kluft, art itself occupies a central role in life. “Art is everything,” he said. “The entire creation and everything in it is art, including everything man-made. Man-made artworks mean so much to so many people.” His collection reflects this philosophy, serving as both a personal environment and an evolving narrative of inspiration. As he simply puts it, “I love my art. They reflect many things that I like, love, and are inspired by.”
The Role of Resonance in Acquisition
When asked what advice he would offer someone considering acquiring original artwork, his answer was direct and heartfelt: “If it deeply resonates with you—buy it—you’ll be happy you did.”
Through his ongoing relationship with Sector Seven Contemporary Art Gallery (S7CAG), Mr. Kluft has continued expanding his collection, which includes works by Stephen Dudro, Robert Sherrill, and Jimi Martinez—artists connected to the vibrant creative community of South Pasadena. The acquisition of Enlightenment represents another chapter in a collecting journey shaped by intuition, emotion, and personal meaning.
Artist Profile: Michael Dergar
Michael Dergar is a visual artist based in Pasadena, California, whose life and work are guided by a deep commitment to inclusion, dignity, and public awareness for people with disabilities. As an educator by profession, he discovered that giving back was not only a calling but a responsibility. This path ultimately led him to found the Academy of Special Dreams Foundation, an organization dedicated to recognizing, supporting, and promoting artists within the special needs community. As Founder and CEO, Dergar embodies the foundation’s mission: to create platforms where artists with disabilities are seen, celebrated, and valued.
Parallel to his advocacy, Dergar maintains an active visual art practice. Through expressive use of color and texture, his paintings reflect the relationship between physical form, emotional experience, and the universal search for meaning. His artwork can be found in private collections internationally and has been exhibited in academic and exclusive venues, including University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Whether supporting artists within the special needs community or creating work for private collectors, Dergar continues to bridge art and activism—using creativity as a force for awareness, inclusion, and hope.